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Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

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Irish dancers marching in the St Patrick's Day parade in Galway in 1970.

1917

The malicious intermeddler

Sir, on behalf of the West Galway District Board G.A.A., I find it very essential to offer an explanation about the failure to carry out the fixtures at South Park, Galway, on St. Patrick’s Day, as arranged by the above Board at its last meeting on the 3rd inst. As Hon. Secretary, I made every effort, in conjunction with a local Committee appointed by the Board, to make those matches a success, because the gate receipts were going to a Committee whose object it is to improve the playing pitch and grounds in general of the South Park, and make it suitable for contesting Irish games.

All the time, the G.A.A. of Galway have been trying to improve this Park, and no opportunity could be found till now, and it appears as if a malicious attempt is being made to frustrate our efforts. Some people with malicious intent, apparently, gave vent to a report that a certain section, other than the G.A.A., were to control the fixture on St. Patrick’s Day, collect the money at the gate, etc. The result was that the hurling match fell through. I most emphatically deny the above statement, and this denial can be verified by any members of the Board when so desired. The meeting at which the fixtures were made was thoroughly represented by all the clubs in the district, and delegates unanimously agreed, after having three days’ notice, to that effect.

Hence I can safety assert, that the parties responsible for that erring report are not members of the G.A.A. I know that the fixtures, especially the hurling, were instrumental in bringing spectators to Galway who would not have come otherwise, and who went away thoroughly disgusted at being disappointed.

To those I appeal most earnestly not to blame the G.A.A. for disappointing them, because, as I have already stated, the West Board was most anxious for the fixture, and bitterly resents the uncalled-for action of those individuals who were the means of invoking criticism in a quarter where it was not deserved.

Patrick Conneely, Hon. Sec. West Galway District Board, G.A.A.

1942

Bee disease’s toll

Despite any reassuring reports to the contrary, Isle of Wight disease is continuing to take toll of apiaries in Connemara. Within the past fortnight two more stocks of bees have died of the disease in the Spiddal district. This makes a total loss for the year of twenty-one stocks out of twenty-nine owned by six bee-keepers in the district. Two stocks also died nearer Galway last week. In the Carraroe area of the Costello district, four beekeepers have lost ten stocks out of fourteen.

Fisherman rescued

After clinging to an upturned Curragh for over half-an-hour in the sea near his house last week, Thomas Thornton, Ballinteleva, Spiddal, was rescued by William Greaney, Derryloughane, and Martin O’Brien, Killough, who launched another Curragh and went to his assistance. Thornton and two others were returning from fishing in Galway Bay when their Curragh was hit by a squall and upset near the shore. His companions scrambled onto the rocks and waded ashore, but Thornton caught hold of the Curragh and was carried out to sea.

Eyre Square turf dump

The turf dump in Eyre Square may remain there for the duration of the war, to judge by the discussion on the subject at Saturday’s meeting of the Galway County Council’s Finance Committee.

Ald. Miss Ashe started the discussion by enquiring if the County Surveyor would have the turf removed before April 23rd – the date on which, he recently assured the Corporation, he would return the Square to them in good condition.

County Surveyor, Mr. C.I. O’Flynn said: “This is the serious time and I do not like to take it away. I think it is up to the Corporation to keep it going. Why should I be doing the Corporation’s work and pressing them to keep it? It is for the people of Galway I want it. My idea was to have a supply available in case transport should break down.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

 

Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

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Some of the attendance at the opening of the new school in Ballymacward on June 24, 1974.

1923

Gloom after war

The special correspondent of the “Independent”, who has been writing of the aftermath of civil war in the West, notes that a feeling of apathy, due to the uncertainty of events, exists amongst the sorely-tried people of Connemara; that politics are referred to only with disgust and that not more than fifty per cent. of the people would vote at a general election; that poverty and unemployment are rife, and there is a growing tendency towards emigration; and that there are bitter complaints of the huge impost of rates and taxes.

It is only too true that there is enough of material for the pessimist to brood over, and that a feeling of gloom permeates country towns. But it is a poor tribute to patriotism that has survived such horrors to encourage this gloom.

It is the duty of all of us to get this pessimism out of the national body and to rid ourselves of the notion that we have not enough Christianity and moral sense left to restore our people to cheerful and ordered progress and industry.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

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Nurses on strike on May 10, 1980, protesting a sub-standard pay offer. Around 700 nurses took part in the protest, hitting services at Gawlay Regional Hospital where only emergency cases were being admitted.

1923

Peace negotiations

As we go to press, An Dáil is discussing the Peace negotiations between the Government and Mr. de Valera. It was announced on Wednesday for the first time that such negotiations were begun following Mr. de Valera’s “cease fire” proclamation of April 27, and that by the 30th of the month Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by him to discuss proposals.

They said it was for the Government to discuss; they could only confer. Into the ensuring conferences the Government declined to enter personally, but on May 3 the senators placed before Mr. de Valera the Cabinet’s terms, which were that future issues should be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people, and that as a corollary and a preliminary to the release of prisoners, all lethal weapons should be in the custody and control of the Executive Government.

Mr. de Valera relied to this on May 7 with a document in which he agreed to majority rule and control of arms, but added that arms should be stored in a suitable building in each province under armed Republican guard until after the elections in September, that the oath should not be made a test in the councils of the nation, and that all political prisoners should be released immediately on the signing of this agreement.

“You have brought back to us,” wrote President Cosgrave, “not an acceptance of our conditions, but a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible”.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

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Brendan Cunniffe from Oranmore and Robert Kelly, Tirellan Heights at the Galway County Fleadh in Tullycross, Connemara, on May 16, 1985.

1923

State of the parties

Speculation as to parties after the next Irish elections is exceedingly interesting, especially in view of the enlarged franchise.

In Dublin, the view appears to be held by a number of people that Labour will make a great bid for power.

Dublin, however, has a curiously insular habit of thought where matters that concern all Ireland and in which Ireland has a say are concerned. We hope this insularity will rapidly disappear under the new conditions.

The country as a whole is backing the Farmers’ Party, and has not the smallest doubt that it will be the strongest combination in the next Dáil, and that it will oust the purely political parties, the one because it has resorted to force, the other because it has been compelled to use force to supress force, and the Labour Party because Ireland feels that at the back of its policy lurks the danger of Communism.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

 

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